Covert Brit army spy team unearthed

A covert British Army spy team was uncovered by a man walking his dog at the junction of the Upper Springfield Road and Hannahstown Hill on the Black Mountain on the outskirts of West Belfast at the end of May.

The four-strong surveillance team was dug into bushes overlooking Hannahstown.

The man who stumbled on the spying operaton as he walked his dog across the mountain behind the derelict shell of the former Mountainview public house wishes to remain anonymous.

The spy team were dug into a vantage point overlooking Hannahstown, Colin Glen and the Upper Glen Road where a number of well known republicans live. They were wearing camouflage netting over their faces and uniforms and had their faces painted. The armed group were spotted with high-powered binoculars and communications equipment.

In the aftermath of the discovery, British Army activity in the area was stepped up and this continued for a number of days afte